Regatta Park

The first known people of this area were Native Americans. The area around the lake was used for gatherings and food was plentiful. During that era, there were times the lake would look black because of being covered by so many migrating geese. Large runs of salmon would make their way through the lake to spawn in steams that enter the lake.

The first Devils Lake Regatta took place in Lincoln City in July of 1933, with an estimated attendance of 15,000 people and 5,000 cars. The event was so successful that the second year they needed a larger piece of property. In 1934 the Regatta was moved to what is Regatta Park today. Cars were parked on the hill overlooking the lake. The property also had a view of the ocean. Trees and houses block any view today. A children’s playground has replaced the parking area.

An annual Regatta was held at Devils Lake for eight years from 1933-1940. The event was discontinued in 1941 due to war restrictions. In 1947 it held again, but it was not the success it had been in the 1930’s.

Regatta Park is 1.6 acres in size and was shown as a designated park in the 1936 survey. Ownership of Regatta Park was transferred to the Lincoln City, when it incorporated, in 1965.

The Sandcastle playground was built with Community help in 1992. This much-loved structure has served its time well and is now needing to be replaced. The Parks Crew regularly inspect it and make repairs to maintain its safety and allow the public to continue to use it. The replacement of the Sandcastle playground went out to bid in October of 2023. The replacement will be a process with public input. We are hoping to emulate the current structure with up-to-date safety measures and for it to be ADA-compliant.

In 2016, the play area up the hill from the Sandcastle was put in. This area was created as an ADA-compliant playground. The play surface is made in layers. Starting with drain rock overlain with a specialized fabric to sift out silt and debris. Rubber mulch from recycled tired went on top of that layer and was followed by a synthetic turf. This is the first time Lincoln City has used this surface in one of its parks.

Lincoln City’s Heritage Tree, a 400 yr old sitka spruce named Nuu-k’wii’daa’naa~ye’ lives on the Regatta Park Open Space Trail. This giant Sitka spruce is a remnant of an ancient coastal forest cared for by indigenous peoples since time immemorial. More info here: https://www.lincolncity.org/departments/parks-recreation/heritage-tree

Oregon industries logged most of these giants at the turn of 20th century, reserving this tree to seed a new forest and witness the development of Lincoln City. In 1978, the area surrounding the tree was annexed as Open Space, which protects the tree for future generations. With public input, the City of Lincoln City named the tree in 2018, with respect to the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians of Oregon.

The Nuu-k’wii’daa’naa~-ye’ (translated “Our Ancestor”) Sitka Spruce is Oregon’s 79th Heritage Tree.

Regatta Park is located on NE 14th Street. It's a wonderful space for children and families, highlighted by a large wooden play structure and swimming area.